The war against Islamic extremism that began with George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq in 2003 continues now with Barack Obama’s bombing of the co-called “Islamic State” in Syria. This has become an unending war, notwithstanding Obama’s attempts to withdraw from it. It is not against a particular enemy in a particular place, but against global thugs who use religion as cover for their barbarism. This war cannot be won. Bombs will not stop it. But the barbarians can be contained if three conditions are met: (1) Their funding must be cut off. That’s where the United States should take a leadership role. (2) The major powers in the region (Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey) must take primary responsibility for the war that has to be waged against the extremists. (3) The young people who are being recruited, dragooned, or bribed into joining the extremist thugs must be persuaded that better futures await them in their own societies if they choose otherwise. This may be the hardest challenge of all.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:11:20 +0000
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